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The Armed Forces Covenant represents a promise by the nation to the service personnel and their families.
It is a pledge that together we acknowledge and understand that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.
Cheshire Constabulary is one of the 3,000 forces friendly employers committed to support its employees who have served or serve in the armed forces, as well as members of the armed forces community within Cheshire – regular personnel, reservists, veterans, their spouses and bereaved members of the service personnel families.
In December 2021, Chief Constable Mark Roberts re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant. Watch the video below, and read the linked article for more information.
The Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) recognises support from organisations to the armed forces community. The different award levels are indicative of different levels of commitment, with the ERS Gold award being the highest level of recognition an organisation can receive. Cheshire Constabulary is proud to say we have been awarded with the Employer Recognition Gold Award. This demonstrates our commitment to supporting our armed forces community by ensuring they are not unfairly disadvantaged by any part of the recruitment and selection process, along with individuals being eligible to apply for special paid leave to support training up to 10 days per year.
To achieve Gold Award status, employers:
Career and Recruitment Events
If you are a current or previous member of the armed forces, you may be considering Cheshire Constabulary as a future employer. We regularly attend and hold career events both at our Headquarters in Winsford or at external events. To find out more information, visit our careers and recruitment events page.
Recently the Force was featured in 'Civvy Street' - a magazine for ex-military personnel to gain access to various support such as job vacancies and relocation advice. Use the accordion below to read our article, or download the .pdf.
Chris Armitt
Deputy Chief Constable and Army Veteran
I am immensely proud to have been a Police Officer for the last 32 years, however I have never forgotten my earlier military background and entry route into the Police Service. I joined the Royal Engineers straight from school as a 16 year old in 1981, and over the next eight years served in Germany, the US, Canada, Africa and Northern Ireland. When I decided to join the police, certain forces would not consider my application as I did not have a current UK address or live in their force area, however Merseyside Police had a totally different approach, recognising the potential challenges facing ex-military personnel and I joined the force at the end of 1989. My father was a soldier before joining the Police Service and my eldest son has followed the same route, meaning I understand the importance of this career transition and the benefits that can be realised for both Cheshire Constabulary and service personnel. We must ensure that we do not place unnecessary barriers in front of service personnel seeking to join the force, whilst finding access routes that recognise the unique skills and life experiences many following this path have to offer.
Chris Walker
Police Constable and Army Veteran
When I was 15, my dad told me to ‘get a job or get out’. I wanted to be a police officer, but my school careers advisor told me “You’re too small and too thick, don't bother!".
After searching and having no luck finding a job, I walked in to the Army Careers office, did the BARB test and was given a start date.
During May 2021, I felt absolutely devastated that I was being forced to leave the Army after completing my years. I travelled the world, flew through the ranks, and in the blink of an eye, it was over. It was my place, my family, my home - it was my everything. Not a job but an absolute way of life - I felt useless, what was I going to do?
A family friend told me that Cheshire Constabulary was recruiting. I had absolutely no belief that I would get through, but the Army had taught me to Be the Best. So I applied, and got through.
On my first day of training, I realised that this was where I was supposed to be. And it only got better. The instructors were amazing and took the time to repeat information without making you feel stupid or like you'd asked a daft question.
One day we had a Neuro Diversity lecture and I knew straight away what my tutor was talking about, it was about me. I didn’t want to speak up straight away, until I saw another infantryman like me take the test and he had dyslexia. To be honest, I was scared that they'd eject me but that is not what Cheshire Constabulary is about. One of their straplines is that Cheshire Cares. And they do. I took all the tests, came up with the perfect scores and was supported from being diagnosed. It blew my mind. My whole life I believed what everyone said, that I was thick. Not thick, but dyslexic!
Joining Cheshire Police has been the most amazing experience. I belong in the right place with this wonderful cross section of modern Britain. I'm not just back to being myself, I'm better.
I know that feeling that all veterans get, that they are abandoned and lose their self-worth. So, to all my Veteran brothers, come in from the cold and join the police. Everything that you are is valued here, all of your skills are needed. Your compassion, drive, experience, empathy and sympathy (and sense of humour) are what is needed in Britain's modern police. And if you're really lucky, and you want it, you'll join Cheshire Constabulary, leading from the front. So, start your battle prep now, check your pouches and prepare to move, you won't get here unless you try.
Be The Best, with the Best…again.
Cheshire Constabulary offers a wide scope of career opportunities.
Join us and you could be a part of influencing positive change for the communities of Cheshire. Join our Policing family
Defence Awarding Organisation
The Defence Awarding Organisation (DAO) develops and provides nationally recognised qualifications for the defence community. All qualifications are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and range from Levels 1-7. We maintain the quality of our qualifications through a robust quality assurance system.
The DAO’s mission is to award vocational qualifications to armed forces personnel (regular and reserve) and Ministry of Defence (MOD) civil servants to recognise quality and competence gained through defence training and experience and to exploit accreditation opportunities across the defence community. Cheshire Constabulary recognises the vocational qualifications that the armed forces personnel obtain in the service and consider them as part of our educational eligibility for particular roles.
For example;
An FT2 course can be converted to Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management Principles which can be used to apply for the Police Constable IPLDP+ Programme
A Logistic Supply Basic Training course can be converted to Level 3 Diploma in Stock Control and Accounting which can be used to apply for the Police Constable IPLDP+ Programme
You can find out more about whether your qualifications can be converted via the below booklet.